Time to Vote for the Future of Troy, Michigan!
The polls are open, the city's plows have cleared the streets as they always do with great dispatch, and so it's time to vote. You've seen the signs, received the mailings, and likely received the robocalls. They've been telling you that you'll be receiving a 29% tax increase if the measure passes. This is not true. Due to falling values, taxes will go down for most folks in the city -- unless you live in one of the few areas of the city where values have stayed the same or risen (lucky you). Even then, it's still not a 29% tax increase -- but the opponent's math sounds so simple it must be true. Unfortunately, that's not the way you figure the tax. If you think you're going to get a big tax increase, before you vote, check with the assessor's office. Oh, and just to note -- Bloomfield Township to our west has a 1.3% millage increase, while Sterling Heights to the East is contemplating one. So, it's not as if Troy is alone in this.
You've been told that the workers should do with less, they are willing to take cuts, and many full time employees have been replaced with part-timers who don't receive benefits. You've been told that the city government shouldn't be trusted (though even some of the opponents will admit that the city is well-run). You've been told that the city can get along without the "non-essentials," such as the library, which saw over 600,000 patron visits last year.
Maybe you've seen postings raising questions about the funding of the vote yes campaign -- suggesting that city employees are behind it. Well, great, I'm glad they love the city they serve. What we don't know is who is funding the vote no campaign.
So, I've had my rant. As for me and my house, we are voting yes, because we value the services this city provides. We may not use them all, but we're glad they are present in the community. This is why our family moved to this community -- it provided a high quality of life at an affordable price! Finally, let me say, that the difference between public services and those of the private sector is that they are open to all and provided at a level most all can afford. I'm voting yes, because I'm committed to the common good of all.
Comments
Mrs.DavidMc
And I continue to question you because I think you should focus on religion, not politics. VOTE NO!
As for the funding -- both sides have their funders. Both have their agendas. My concern is with the community I live in. So, I'll vote yes. Or does the fact that I'm clergy prevent me from doing that as well?
And again you use 'as a member of the clergy' even though you say you are speaking from a seperate venue. You keep mixing both together, so is it one, or the other, or in fact both? As a pastor, you should set an example regarding truth.
I need to add something here. I have allowed you to continue to post here even though you do not identify yourself. I know that Dave Lambert has required full identification, but I've not done that.
I don't know who you are, what your agenda is, etc. That is fine. But wouldn't it be more honest to be out front with one's identity? Especially if one is continually questioning the integrity of the other.
Finally, I did a bit of googling, and I've yet to find any information on who is backing Troy Citizen's United, except that it's connected to the campaigns of one of the city council members -- who is supposed to be a Libertarian, and thus is opposed to almost all government functions, beyond police and fire. That is fine, but I wish people were more upfront.
After today we'll know the future -- and maybe the city we know will be no more. If drastic cuts in services are made, it surely won't be the city to which I moved 20 months ago.
I need to add something here. I have allowed you to continue to post here even though you do not identify yourself. I know that Dave Lambert has required full identification, but I've not done that.
I don't know who you are, what your agenda is, etc. That is fine. But wouldn't it be more honest to be out front with one's identity? Especially if one is continually questioning the integrity of the other.
Finally, I did a bit of googling, and I've yet to find any information on who is backing Troy Citizen's United, except that it's connected to the campaigns of one of the city council members -- who is supposed to be a Libertarian, and thus is opposed to almost all government functions, beyond police and fire. That is fine, but I wish people were more upfront.
After today we'll know the future -- and maybe the city we know will be no more. If drastic cuts in services are made, it surely won't be the city to which I moved 20 months ago.
For your information here are the 2 links:
Keep Troy Safe (vote yes)
http://courts.oakgov.com/cfrs/iDocuments.php?iCommitteeID=9850&cmdOk=View+Campaign+Statements
Troy Citizens United (vote NO)
http://courts.oakgov.com/cfrs/iDocuments.php?iCommitteeID=9727&cmdOk=View+Campaign+Statements
Hope this helps.